Jackie’s Gift
Written by: Sharon Robinson
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Viking
2010
30 pages
Multicultural
Steve Satlow was a young man who loved the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team. Imagine his surprise when he finds out that Jackie Robinson and his family are moving into the neighborhood. Steve soon finds out that not everyone is excited about an African American family moving in. Steve’s dad tells him stories of their Jewish ancestors and why it is important to accept everyone. Soon the families become good friends and Steve continues to idolize Mr. Robinson. On Christmas break Steve comes over to help the Robinsons decorate their Christmas tree. He admires their tree and mentions that his family doesn’t have one. Steve leaves out the part that they are Jewish. The next day Mr. Robinson brings a Christmas tree over to Steve’s house as a gift to the family. Steve’s mom doesn’t know how to bring up the fact that they can’t accept the gift. Steve’s parents realize that it isn’t important and they invite the Robinsons over for Christmas. They have their tree and their menorah out to share with the Robinsons.
The illustrations are done with paint, and they are done in a very realistic style. The colors are blended and very natural. Each page is done with lots detail and scenery. A lot of patterns and textures are created with the paint. The pictures are done without outlines so that everything blends naturally. The illustrations take up full pages, and the text is on the opposite page on a white background.
This book would be a great book for any elementary classroom. I would use this book as a read aloud. The class could discuss accepting other races, cultures, and religions. It could be used to specifically talk about Jewish or African American culture as well. Students could compare and contrast the two family’s different cultures.
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